However, the system didn’t last long. Trimble said the start of World War II is partly to blame.

“This seems kind of funny when you think about it,” Trimble said. “They were kind of worried about World War II and that the enemy pilots could be able to follow those arrows if they were coming from New York to Los Angeles.”

The government took down the beacons because of a scarcity of metal during a time of war. And this piece of American history slowly faded into the past, Trimble said.

“They sort of just fell into disrepair,” he said. “There are some remnants of them still today.”

There appears to be about 18 concrete arrows or beacons that remain in Arizona, according to a Google Maps review.

“It fascinates me, especially when I’m flying along. And I say, ‘oh there’s one of those arrows! How cool,’” Walker said.